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audiorecorder posts

Zoom's high-fidelity Q3 pocket camcorder ships to America

by Darren Murph posted Oct 15th 2009 at 5:27AM

Hailed as the first and only handheld video recorder to record HD audio, Zoom's Q3 Handy Video recorder is definitely a unique offering amongst the legions of me-toos. After being announced in July and tickling our senses right around a month ago, the Q3 has finally begun to ship en masse to eager consumers. Just in case you've forgotten, this bugger records 24-bit/48 kHz audio via a pair of condenser microphones, gets powered by two AA cells and captures video at 640 x 480 (30fps). There's also a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 LCD and an SDHC card slot, though you'll have to shell out $249 in order to get this kind of technology into your own pocket. Order up, kids!

Gallery: Zoom's high-fidelity Q3 pocket camcorder ships to America

Continue reading Zoom's high-fidelity Q3 pocket camcorder ships to America

XA-LM1 LessonMaster audio recorder throws a guitar tuner, microSD card reader into the mix

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 26th 2009 at 2:56PM

Voice recorders always seem like no-brainer gifts for musicians, but sound quality (in all but the pricier units) is generally pretty lacking, and lets be honest here -- rarely do you find yourself humming a tune that doesn't turn out to be something you heard on a TV commercial. But what do we know -- maybe you're the next Don Fagan, and you need a high quality recorder at hand whenever and wherever inspiration may strike. JVC Japan has given this some thought, it seems, and they've gone and packed the XA-LM1 LessonMaster stereo mics, a digital audio recorder supporting either PCM wave files (48kHz/16bit) or MP3s (up to 192KB), 2GB microSD card, 23mm speaker, metronome, and a chromatic tuner. Unless you can read Japanese the tuner might be of limited use to you, but then again this could be a good excuse to learn. Look for it in early October for around ¥26,250 (€195).

[Via Engadget Japanese]

Continue reading XA-LM1 LessonMaster audio recorder throws a guitar tuner, microSD card reader into the mix

Zoom brings stereo audio to Q3 pocket camcorder

by Darren Murph posted Jul 21st 2009 at 8:49AM

While those into good sound likely warmed to Zoom's H4n Handy Recorder back at CES, the Samson Technologies-owned company has just switched the game up on us with its newfangled Q3 Handy Video Recorder. As the product name implies, it's the first pocket camcorder to hit the market with such a serious focus on good sound, packing a directional, dual condenser microphone setup that enables shooters to capture clips at 24-bit/48 kHz while even focusing the mics on the sound source. The camcorder itself can log clips at an uninspiring 640 x 480 (30fps), while a pair of AA batteries gives you around two hours of life. There's also a 2.4-inch LCD, a bundled 32GB SD card (holds 16 hours of footage), a built-in speaker for previews, TV output, a tripod mount and USB 2.0 connectivity. If this bad boy did 720p, we'd be handing over our $249 with a heart full of thanks. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Zoom brings stereo audio to Q3 pocket camcorder

Sony's PCM-M10 digital audio recorder brings pro quality to laypeople, Southern Californians

by Darren Murph posted Jul 19th 2009 at 6:54PM

Remember when Sony outed its PCM-D1 digital audio recorder and charged $2,000 for it with a straight face? Even today, the aforementioned player (along with the still-pricey PCM-D50) stands as one of the best in the sector, but Sony has just introduced the newest PCM unit with an equally impressive specs list and a price tag that even the amateur can swallow. Over in Nashville, the outfit has busted out the PCM-M10, which goes down as the least expensive flash-based recorder from Sony "capable of recording 96kHz/24-bit stereo audio using either the internal condenser mics or an external mic / line input." There's 4GB of built-in memory, a Memory Stick Micro slot and a (gasp!) microSD compartment. Sony also tossed in a built-in speaker, a 5-second pre-recording buffer, digital limiter and the ability to record directly to MP3. The Seth and Ryan-approved recorder should ship this October for $399, and you can catch a glimpse now by peeking the video just past the break.

[Via Brad Linder]

Continue reading Sony's PCM-M10 digital audio recorder brings pro quality to laypeople, Southern Californians

Edirol spruces up its high-end voice recorder with the R-09HR

by Paul Miller posted Apr 5th 2008 at 8:57PM

Nothing like a minor spec bump to a digital audio recorder to get the blood pumping on a Saturday evening, but we're real suckers for these things. Edirol released its high-end R-09 portable recorder back in 2006, and now they're taking things up a notch with the R-09HR, which can handle 96KHz recordings (up from 48KHz) and supports SDHC up to 8GB instead of the 4GB max of the old model. The recorder also includes a monitor speaker, remote control and playback speed control -- a big win for fans of Alvin and the Chipmunks or for those who need to transcribe interviews, two camps which we conveniently find ourselves in. No word on a US release, but the R-09HR is available in the UK for £249.00, about $497 US.

[Via Brad Linder]

Tascam DR-1 digital recorder can slow things down without changing pitch

by Darren Murph posted Jan 18th 2008 at 9:22AM

At first glance, the Tascam DR-1 doesn't seem too different from all of its other digital recorder buddies out there, but let's see the other guys record WAV / MP3 straight to SDHC. Yep, this critter can save 24-bit, 48 kHz WAV files directly to SD or SDHC, and it also features a built-in Li-ion good for around seven hours, a simple (albeit useful) LCD and the inclusion of Variable Speed Audition, which enables it to playback recordings slower than they were inputted without augmenting the pitch. Per usual, mum's the word right now on price / availability.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Update: Looks like it's $299, thanks Mike!

Samson's Zoom H2 SD portable audio recorder

by Darren Murph posted May 3rd 2007 at 7:01AM

Although the amount of voice recorders hitting the market has definitely tapered off in recent years, the ones that do make it out are fairly well-spec'd in their own regard. The latest to show up is Samson's Zoom H2 handy recorder, which claims to be the "world's only portable recorder with 3 mic capsules on board for mid-side recording," and moreover, the device purportedly decodes the audio instantly to bring together a probably unnecessary level of "superb stereo imaging." Interestingly enough, the device even allows for users to record at various angles and frequencies in case you're trying to assemble a 5.1 track (saywha?) without all the proper equipment, and it even touts gain controls right on the side for on-the-fly tweaking. The unit stores recordings on an SD flash card, features USB 2.0 connectivity, a 1/8-inch stereo output, backlit display, four hours of usage on a pair of AA batteries, time stamp / track marker functions, integrated chromatic guitar and bass tuner, and a variety of status LEDs to boot. Of course, such extravagant niceties on a portable audio recorder don't come without a premium, but users serious about capturing those lecture notes (or ad hoc jingles) can snag one in May for around $200.

Olympus voice-activated DS-50 records days of audio

by Darren Murph posted Feb 13th 2007 at 6:04PM

Olympus might have halted production of its DAPs, but it's still taking time out from busting out wicked zoom cameras to dabble in the portable audio realm. The DS-50 is a handheld audio recorder / audiobook player hybrid, and aside from its ability to hold between 17 hours (STXQ stereo mode) and 275 hours (paltry LP mode) on the built-in 1GB of storage, it also touts voice-activated record / playback controls, a backlit LCD screen, MP3 / WMA support, and the obligatory integrated microphone. You'll get around 26 to 31 hours of battery life on a pair of AAA cells, USB connectivity, and Audible support as well. So if you're looking to capture days and days of audio, and want to break up the podcasting sessions with a few books / tunes along the way, the DS-50 can be snapped up now for a stiff £249 ($487).

[Via ShinyShiny]